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O F F T HE D R AW COLLEGE p When it comes to fan loyalty, few college hockey teams have the support of the University of North Dakota. Whether it's a home game at Ralph Engelstad Arena or an away contest, green is the color of the day as Fighting Hawks fans show up in force. That was clear when Grand Forks International Airport set a single-day record as 1,524 passengers, most of them college hockey fans, boarded planes on Oct. 27. Their final destination was Las Vegas, where North Dakota took on Arizona State in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. UND lost the game, 3-2. According to the airport's executive director Ryan Riesinger, this year's numbers beat the airport's previous record set in 2021, when UND hockey fans traveled to Nashville for the Hall of Fame game against Penn State. To put it in context, Riesinger said the airport typically has 400 passenger seats available on an average day. UND fans won't have far to travel for next year's tilt, which will essentially be a home game at Engelstad Arena against Providence Friars. Green Means Go For UND Fans W HEN IT COMES TO REACHING OUT TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, the Anaheim Ducks' efforts have always been muy bueno. Recently, the Ducks celebrated one of the most important holidays on the Mexican calendar, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), with a first class fiesta with friends and neighbors at the Honda Center prior to the team's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition to specially priced tickets, the Ducks provided giveaways, wore custom warm-up jerseys and included a Spanish broadcast of the game. There was also face painting, Mariachi performances and local dancers outside the Honda Center as fans enjoyed food and beverages from local Hispanic inspired food trucks. It was all part of the Ducks' support of the local Hispanic community that includes their creation of the S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation & Education) program in 2005. As part of the team's ongoing efforts, the organization has also translated all S.C.O.R.E. materials into Spanish for their school programming to help provide access to the game and remove barriers to participation in hockey communities throughout Southern California. The Ducks also hosted a bilingual Try Hockey For Free session at the Rinks in Irvine with instruction conducted in both Spanish and English. DIVERSITY Ducks Celebrate Hispanic Community With Giant Fiesta p Everyone got into the spirit during the Ducks' Dia de Muertos celebration. PHOTO BY Getty Images 10 // JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM